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Trekking In Patagonia | Adventure Holiday In Patagonia

Our eight day trek follows the Torres del Paine Circuit in Patagonia. We explore this beautiful region, admiring views of the spectacular Paine massif with its sheer granite towers, sweeping glaciers and bright blue lakes. We also tour the cosmopolitan capital city of Buenos Aires, visiting the Plaza de Mayo and colourful La Boca district.

Tour Highlights

Torres Del Paine National Park - Trek the famous eight-day circuit of this stunning national park. Admire the distinctive granite towers and beautiful glacial lakes

El Calafate - Small town in the heart of Patagonia on the shores of Lago Argentino

Moreno Glacier - Optional trip to view this magnificent glacier

Buenos Aires - City tour of the cosmopolitan Argentinean capital

Itinerary

1

Join tour Buenos Aires

Arrive Buenos Aires and check-in at hotel. Known as the Paris of South America, this extraordinary metropolis spreads over some 200 square kilometres and contains up to 13 million people living within its environs. A vibrant, political and cosmopolitan city, there are plenty of interesting things to see, from world-class museums and galleries, to theatres and shows.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

2

City tour of Buenos Aires

Today we take a city tour to see the sites of Buenos Aires including the Plaza de Mayo, La Boca and the downtown area. The rest of the day is free to explore this lively city. You may also choose to wander the city streets, admiring the impressive architecture and relaxing parks, or enjoy the traditional Porteño pastime of people watching from the many cafés - always alive with the sound of passionate debate!

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Fly to El Calafate

Today we leave the city far behind as we fly across the vast Patagonian wasteland to descend over the deep blue waters of Lago Argentino, at El Calafate. On a clear day, this descent allows breathtaking views of the distant peaks of the Andes. There is time this afternoon to explore the settlement, perhaps including a short walk to the shores of Lago Argentino, via the Laguna Nimes bird reserve (optional). You might wish to take an optional trip to see the beautiful Perito Moreno glacier. The opportunity to get up close to this natural wonder, by boat or from the walkways over-looking this huge expanse of cracked ice is highly recommended. With a snout over 5km wide and 55m high, the Perito Moreno Glacier commands a profound silence - interrupted only by the thunderous roar of crashing blue ice as it calves into the milky lake below. A truly unforgettable experience. There are a number of excellent restaurants and cafés in town - don't miss the opportunity to try the fruit of the calafate bush: local folklore says that those who eat this berry will one day return to Patagonia.

Overnight: Standard GuesthouseSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

4

Drive to Torres del Paine National Park; trek to Campo Serón

This morning we depart El Calafate and drive, by public bus, through the stark and barren Patagonian plains. Beneath the enormous skies characteristic of this part of the world, there is little sign of habitation other than the occasional 'estancia' (local farm) sheltering behind its windbreak of trees, or a lonesome gaucho on horseback braving the elements. Crossing over the border into Chile we transfer to a chartered bus and enjoy our first views of the Paine Massif, which we'll circumnavigate over the next eight days. The weather in Torres del Paine can be unpredictable and so the route and timings may change if the weather prevents us from our usual itinerary. The views continue to get more impressive as we approach our trailhead at Refugio Las Torres area. Arriving late afternoon, an undulating path leads us to our first overnight stop, Campo Seron, host to many species of birds including Parinas, Black Woodpeckers and Buffed Neck Ibis. (approx. 4.5 hours, 12km with porters).

Overnight: Basic CampingYour own tent available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner

5

Trek to Lago Dickson via Lago Paine

From Campo Seron we enjoy an easy trek through undulating terrain to Lago Paine along the Cordillera Paine circuit. On the way we pass through beautiful forested landscapes, which escaped a great fire that took place at the beginning of the last century. We hope to see black woodpeckers today: listen out for the sound of their furious hammering upon these gnarled trees! Once we arrive at Lago Paine, we have a spectacular view of the north side of the Paine Massif, seeing the stunning peaks of Cerro Oggioni, Cerro Tridente, and Cerro Cabeza del Indio. The trek continues westwards along the southern bank of the Paine river. We descend down to the lake shore, then continue across open grasslands along the river towards Refugio Dickson (approx. 6-7 hours, 18km, with porters).

Overnight: Simple HutYour own tent available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6

Trek to Los Perros

Today we follow Los Perros river to the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. It is here where we begin what is perhaps the longest forest walk in Patagonia - trekking through impressive ancient virgin beech forests (look out for four different varieties: lenga, ñire, cohihue and guindo). The path is crossed by many water courses and offers the best and closest views of the Paine massif. Our camp awaits us at Laguna Los Perros, in the middle of dense forest. (approx. 4 hours, 10km, with porters).

Overnight: Basic CampingYour own tent available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

Trek to Paso John Gardner; view Glacier Grey

Today we ascend for several hours until we reach the John Gardner pass (1241m), the highest point of the circuit. Here we should be rewarded by an awe-inspiring view of the south Patagonian ice cap and the Glacier Grey (Ventisquero Grey), an enormous fractured mass of ice covering the valley. Glacier Grey empties part of the giant South Patagonic icefield into Lago Grey, and the lake is often filled with impressive giant icebergs drifting across the waters. The route continues roughly south along the trail, crossing forested slopes, gorges and streams, with superb views along the way. (approx. 11-12 hours, 22km, with porters).

Overnight: Simple HutSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8

At Lago Grey

Today we can rest and soak up the beautiful views or enjoy an optional walk to Glacier Grey or the surrounding area - weather and group dependant.

Overnight: Simple HutSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9

Trek to Paine Grande

This morning we make a leisurely start and our trek continues along the eastern banks of Lago Grey through clearings of calafate bushes. The view over the lake and its sculptured icebergs drifting across the waters is again very impressive. The path leads over undulating terrain towards the shores of Paine Grande. (approx. 4 hours, 11km, with porters).

Overnight: Simple HutSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10

Trek to Valle Francés

Leaving behind the emerald green Pehoe lake, the track makes its way through the undulating terrain of mixed grassland, firebush and light forest. We pass Skottsberg lake and the south-east slopes of Cerro Paine to meet river Frances. From here we follow the river upstream to Mirador Frances, offering views of Glacier Frances. Subject to weather conditions, we continue to a small hut built by a British climbing expedition. This magnificent setting is surrounded by high peaks on all sides - Cerro Aleta de Tiburon (Shark's Fin mount), Cerro Cabeza de Indio (Indians Head mount), Cerro Escudo (Shield mount), Cerro Fortaleza (Fortress mount), Cerro Espada (Sword mount), Cerro Hoja (Blade mount) and to the north the famous Cuernos del Paine (Paine Horns). We head back down the valley again and then carry on walking along the panoramic trail to the shores of the blue Nordenskjöld lake, where we find our next lodge. (approx. 9-10 hours, 27km, with porters).

Overnight: Simple HutSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11

Trek to Refugio Torres

Today's trail is known as Sendero Paso Los Cuernos, due to the fact that it passes under the dramatic Cuernos (horns). We walk alongside the shores of the beautiful Nordenskjöld lake, crossing small rivers and wide grasslands along the way. The hike today is very relaxing, taking us to the Asencio river and on to our final Refugio. (5 hours, 11km, with horses for luggage).

Overnight: Simple HutSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12

Trek to Torres del Paine viewpoint

Our final day of trekking takes us to the foot of what has inspired us much over the last week - the impressive granite towers of Torres del Paine. Climbing steeply, high above the scattered blue lakes, we hike along the Asencio river, and up towards the Torres. After a final clamber over steep terminal moraine deposited by a glacier centuries ago, we reach a panoramic point from where we admire one of the best known sights of Patagonia, the Paine Towers, rising very close above a green lagoon. The famous Torres del Paine (2900m/9400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, overlooking a landscape shaped by the forces of glacial ice and the elements. After returning to Refugio Las Torres, we can relax and enjoy our final afternoon within this awe-inspiring National Park. (approx. 9 hours, 20km).

Overnight: Simple HutSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

13

Drive to Calafate

From the lost world of Torres del Paine we transfer by private bus to the Argentine border and continue on to Calafate, where we spend
our final night in Patagonia.

Overnight: Standard GuesthouseSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch

14

Fly to Buenos Aires

This morning we leave the wilds of Patagonia behind and step into the heat and bustle of Buenos Aires feeling we have left behind a lost world. Will the folklore surrounding the calafate berries we ate turn out to be true? We arrive in Buenos Aires mid afternoon leaving the rest of the day free for exploration.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

15

Tour ends Buenos Aires

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Torres Del Paine Circuit tour available at present.